Today's Reading:
Jeremiah 5,6; John 12
Scripture
“Many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.” (John 12:42-43)
Observation
Belief without confession — that’s the mire in which much of the Church is stuck. What we believe in our heads has not yet saturated our footsteps. The Church at large is stuck, and the glue that’s causing her to stick? The “Approval of Man” … wanting to be accepted, to be acknowledged, to be valued by … and it’s so addictive! I know! I am always in contention with this, partly because we are all insecure to one level or another. If we don’t have ample supplies of Encouragers in our life, we begin to seek the approval of man more than the approval of God.
On one hand, we must overcome this temptation to steal approval and rate ourselves based on the applause meter. But on the other hand, this prevailing trend can be mitigated by increasing the presence of Godly encouragers that steer people toward God through holy approval. “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ lest anyone of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that Godly encouragement is an antidote to becoming hardened. There have been times in the past where I have seen stalwart saints turn hard, husbands who set their hearts to abandon their families, wives that give up .. but not out of discouragement as much as out of hardness. I know that each of us is responsible for our own actions, but at the same time, I am stirred to a new season of encouragement, a new venture of ministry! I have found that if I am too busy at managing maintenance, I am blinded to those who need encouraging.
I thank God for encouragers like Dan and Carol Ann Shima, Dave Yogi, Duane Daggett, Stu Barr, my wife and family, and so many more! I believe that I owe my life and ministry to these encouragers!
Application
The approval of man is so addicting that many young leaders fall prey to this fatal attraction. I must continue to be a dream releaser, an encourager, a builder of first-generation leaders. I must watch closely for those seeking the approval of man and steer them back to gaining the approval of God alone. This will correct their hearts and align their motives back to that of the Spirit of God.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please change me into Your image. What You did with the 12, may You do with me — may I represent You accurately here during my stay upon this earth.